Hednesford Town continued their play-off push with a fantastic away win at a side many regarded as favourites for the title only a couple of weeks ago. Every single player who pulled on the Black and White shirt on Tuesday night covered every inch of the pitch in chasing and harrying a Nantwich team who, despite being behind for most of the game, never gave up on their principles and played a passing style of football rarely seen at this level.

Credit must be given to Dean Edwards' men; they never crumbled under the pressure and a combination of some lethal finishing and counter attacking play saw ‘The Pitmen' escape from Cheshire with three points, lifting them back into the play-off places.

A game of such quality in terms of pace and passing was summed up by the end-to-end excitement, easily making it the most thrilling of the season.

 Hednesford were quick out of the blocks and looked keen on erasing the memory of a disappointing performance at home to Whitby last Saturday. A strong Elliott Durrell shot very nearly took the head off a Whitby blocking defender in the opening minutes.

That is not to say that Nantwich started slowly, far from it, Rodney Jack proved why his career has included stints at Crewe Alexandra as he terrorised Ludovic Quistin in the opening exchanges with real glimpses of skill and pace. The first opportunity created by the dangerous winger came on five minutes when Jack skinned Quistin and played it across the area to Ashley Carter; with Brock stranded he couldn't force the ball in when it was easier to score.

Tyrone Barnett looked to have regained his match sharpness and his turn and shot from just out side the area on eight minutes was certainly a sign of things to come. This time Lee Jones made an easy save, clutching the ball safely to his chest.

With ten minutes gone and the game being played at breakneck pace Jack again did well to get to the by-line and his teasing cross was just a yard in front of Walker who got his head to the ball but was stretching too much and could only direct it wide of the post.

After twelve minutes it was ‘The Pitmen's' chance to break as Elliott Durrell was sent away down the right wing with a fantastic slide-rule pass by Sam Hall; the Nantwich defence were struggling to get back to cover and Durrell played the ball across the goal mouth to present Ross Dyer with an absolute gift. Somehow with the goal open wide Dyer miscued and sent the ball back towards the near post and wide of the goal. The Hednesford faithful behind the goal could not quite believe their eyes as to all intents and purposes the deadlock was going to be broken. It was not to be.

Nantwich continued to pass the ball well through midfield and after fourteen minutes forced two corners, both of which were cleared well by a Hednesford defence consisting of Decio Gomes, new signing Cedric Abraham and Tom Marshall.

Barnett tested the keeper from distance once again after seventeen minutes but Jones was equal to it. Two minutes later Dyer was the most relieved man in the ground as following a Durrell one-on-one saved well by Jones the resulting corner saw Barnett open the scoring. Sam Hall chipped the ball into the area and the Hednesford number nine connected with a bullet header which flew past the helpless Nantwich goalkeeper.

Jack was still looking dangerous down the Nantwich right wing but after twenty-two minutes it was Hednesford who carved out an opportunity to double their lead. Dyer broke through the defence and played the ball through to Durrell, O'Loughlin made a brave saving challenge and, as the ball broke free, Maguire's rasping drive was blocked and Draper dragged the ball wide of the far post from the follow up.

As the clock ticked onto twenty-five minutes the referee was called upon to make an important decision as Durrell dropped his shoulder and breezed past Mark Beeston only to be chopped down and stopped well and truly in his tracks. After giving a free kick to the away side the referee decided against booking Beeston, much to the annoyance of the fans behind the goal.

On the half hour mark and with both sides still pushing hard Nantwich had their best chance of the game as Rodney Jack once again crossed the ball in and Blackhurst headed powerfully at goal, Brock made the save and from the resulting corner Decio Gomes had to clear the ball off the line.

Four minutes later and with the Hednesford defence looking a little shaky a through ball deceived Brock and Walker knocked the ball past him. Luckily for the goalkeeper Decio Gomes was there to do the covering and he broke from defence in his usual powerful fashion and won a free kick on the half way line.

Hednesford had a convincing shout for a penalty on forty minutes when Elliot Durrell was scythed down in the area but the referee waved away any protests, again much to the annoyance of the away following behind the goal.

As the first half came to an end Maguire took a knock on his troublesome nose injury picked up over the weekend after challenging for an aerial ball and as the players left the pitch it remained to be seen whether he would make it out for the second half.

Maguire did continue in the second period and after being involved in some clever passing moves which just couldn't unlock the Nantwich defence he was clattered on the touchline by Ashley Carter. This time the referee showed a deserved yellow card after fifty-one minutes.

Sixty seconds later Durrell sent Barnett clear with a measured pass through the Nantwich defence. The striker showed a great first touch but was just off balance as he hit his shot towards the far post and Jones saved well low down to his left.

Nantwich broke immediately and uncertain defending from the Hednesford back three very nearly let Walker in for a goal scoring opportunity.

After fifty-five minutes ‘The Pitmen' lived dangerously as Walker rose highest and headed the ball towards the far corner, a combination of Maguire and Brock blocked the ball on the line.

A minute later an end to end game continued with Dave Tickle blazing over the bar after more incisive passing by Nantwich but as the pendulum once again swung towards the away side Ross Dyer drove the bad memories of his first half sitter away with real aplomb. A teasing cross from Barnett was flicked on by O'Loughlin in trying to clear the ball and Dyer took one touch and smashed it into the roof of the net past Jones. The travelling fans were ecstatic and in the ten minutes after the goal Nantwich were rattled.

Draper shot over after a throw in from Maguire fell loose and Barnett curled a powerful shot into the arms of the overworked Nantwich goalkeeper on sixty-three and sixty-five minutes respectively.

With twenty minutes remaining Barnett had another good chance when Durrell's curling cross from the right found him ten yards out and in acres of space, unfortunately his diving header wasn't directed well enough and the ball went out for a goal kick.

On seventy-three minutes a rampaging Durrell found Draper and the competitive midfielder rounded Darren Tinson with ease. His shot was saved well by Jones and as the ball ran free Blackhurst hoofed the ball out for a corner; very nearly firing the ball into his own net in the process.

As the clock ran down Decio Gomes, Cedric Abraham and, in truth, every Hednesford player on the pitch put in a superb shift of chasing and closing down the Nantwich side. The home team stuck to their football principles and continued to try to pass through the Hednesford defence. Every player's desire and commitment was enough to repel attack after attack.

Hall flashed a shot over after breezing past a tired looking Nantwich defence in a rare attack for ‘The Pitmen' but after eighty-seven minutes the pressure told on Hednesford and an infrequent long ball was played towards Tom Marshall; the defender clearly called but a break down in communication with Brock meant his header back to the goal keeper simply rolled into an empty net.

Hednesford continued to show superb character in not letting their heads drop and within two minutes had the ball safely hemmed in Nantwich territory. The ball broke, Hall played a square ball for Durrell who dropped his shoulder, skipped round a tackle and rifled the ball in from the edge of the area.

A skilful goal secured a fantastic win for Hednesford and the fans that had made the short trip up the M6 will no doubt be buoyed with thoughts of a famous play-off run come the end of April. The run-in sees Dean Edwards' side face Boston on Saturday and Matlock on Easter Monday. Two positive results from those games will no doubt see his side take a further step towards the goal of promotion after a long and tiring season. Hopefully there are more nights like this one to follow in the coming weeks.

Hednesford Town
Brock, Maguire, Quistin, Gomes, Abraham, Marshall, Hall, Durrell, Barnett (West 90), Dyer, Draper,

Subs Not Used - Coulston, Bailey, Gill, Woolley

Nantwich Town
Jones, Beeston, Tickle, Tinson, O'Loughlin, Blackhurst, Carter (Griggs 76), MacPherson, Walker (Whittaker 65), Lennon, Jack (Parkinson 65),

Subs Not Used - Hawthorne, Kinsey,

Referee - Mr P. Graham (Manchester)

Attendance - 490

Chris Brewerton